The grocery store is a mine field these days. If you're not careful, and don't pay attention, you'll end up buying something that tastes like cardboard.

Fat and salt; those are the things that make life worth living. Both of them have a bad rep in certain circles, but health food faddists and public danger hysterics notwithstanding, it's not clear at all that either of them is a major threat to human life or health, as long as you don't overdo either of them.

Still, there are those who think that sodium is akin to cyanide, with lipids being a close second. And American industry is always willing to cater to perceived needs with products, even if those needs are misguided. Money is money even if it's spent by a silly person. (I should know.)

So the shelves are lined with things that are "low-sodium" and you have to look closely when you buy to make sure you aren't getting the good stuff. I made that mistake a while back; I bought three tins of cashews and got home to discover the blasted things were "low sodium". I think it took about a teaspoon of salt and a lot of shaking on each of them before they tasted right. Cashews without sodium don't taste like anything.

I went to the grocery store today, and one of the things I was low on was garlic flavored cream cheese. I get this stuff. Only today I wasn't paying attention, and I got this stuff instead. I haven't opened it yet, and I'm not looking forward to it. I'm sure it will look like cream cheese. I'm sure it will smell like garlic.

But I'm also sure it won't  be right. Eating low fat cream cheese is like eating soap. Especially since they reduced the sodium in it, too.

As soon as I noticed it, I started cursing loudly. In fact, I startled myself; I don't usually do that.

Hey, American Industry. There's a niche here you're not addressing: the person who likes salt and likes fat and wants them in food!

Posted by: Steven Den Beste in Rants at 04:45 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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